my father's ghost

[Godot51]

my father’s ghost

my father’s ghost is living still quite strong in me
i wake to sounds of his voice in deep command
footsteps echo through the house now long gone
a scent of tobacco follows him as he drifts about
my father’s ghost echoes hammers buzzing saws
a sheen of sweat and sawdust surrounds his aura
as surprisingly mild stare reflects in yellowish eyes
a soft heart beats under a hard chest slowly dying
my father’s ghost hums old songs barely recalled
words escape here and there remember memories
vague parodies of melodic moments in deep stress
once an irritation yet now an endearment to hold
my father’s ghost lying lucid in a land so far away
keeps back needed love and affection out of habit